The Apprentice Best Bits
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BBC One launches ‘The Apprentice Best Bits’ with fan favourites

What are the likes of Stuart Baggs, Ruth Badger and Elizabeth McKenna up to now?

Without a new series of The Apprentice this year, BBC One is rolling out a Best Bits compilation series.

The six-episode series starts tonight (Thursday October 1) and some of the best-known characters from all 15 series will pop up in some of the most memorable scenes.

But where are they now and what are they up to?

The Apprentice Best Bits
Elizabeth became one of the show’s great characters (Credit: BBC)

Elizabeth McKenna (Series 13)

Nottingham-based Elizabeth stormed onto the show in 2017 proclaiming: “I’m better than anyone else!”

Her bossy nature didn’t endear her to many, but she became an instant character.

Read more: Lord Sugar brands Piers Morgan ‘deluded pilllock’ in latest Twitter rant

Lord Sugar said of Elizabeth: “Working with Elizabeth was trying to clean a piranha’s teeth.”

What is Elizabeth up to now?

A florist prior to the show, Elizabeth went back to her, ahem, roots and continues to run Elizabeth McKenna Flowers in her home town of Nottingham.

The Apprentice Best Bits
Jessica had a quirky sense of humour (Credit: BBC)

Jessica Cunningham (Series 12)

Full of nervous energy in series 12, quirky Jessica often had to take a breath to compose herself.

None more so during a task when a pair of jeans went missing… the very pair that needed to be photographed.

She described herself as the “female version of Jim Carrey” but often had the last laugh – she proved to be a fine saleswoman.

What is Jessica doing these days?

Jessica went on to star in Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, but tragedy hit a year later when the father of her three daughters took his own life. She co-owns fashion label ProfigalFox and in 2018 gave birth to a fourth child with partner Alex.

The Apprentice Best Bits
Stuart was one of the great Apprentice characters (Credit: YouTube/BBC)

Stuart Baggs (Series six)

Has there been another contestant like Stuart Baggs?

He came on the scene in series 13 and immediately ruffled feathers with his astonishing self-confidence.

‘The Brand’ also defied belief with some of his crazy phrases.

One of his best sayings was: “I’m not a one-trick pony, I’m not a 10-trick pony… I’m a field full of ponies.”

And who could forget this? “Everything I touch turns to sold.”

Lord Sugar called him a “great character”.

What is Stuart up to?

Tragically Stuart passed away in 2015 aged 27 after a severe asthma attack.

The Apprentice Best Bits
Michaela had the first Apprentice baby with Harrison (Credit: BBC)

Michaela Wain (Series 13)

Brassy Bolton lass Michaela seemed to have all the confidence in the world.

So much so, Karen Brady said of her: “She always came across as a really strong woman, and really in control.”

But when push came to shove, Michaela admitted in the boardroom that she lacks confidence.

When she excelled as a team captain and reached the final, she was praised for attacking her demons.

What is Michaela up to now?

After The Apprentice, she settled down with fellow contestant Harrison Jones. In 2018, the couple welcomed the first-ever Apprentice baby – a little boy called Grayson.

The Apprentice Best Bits
Ruth is one of the show’s most memorable characters (Credit: BBC)

Ruth Badger (Series two)

Wolverhampton-born Ruth wowed everyone with her aggressive – and successful – sales pitching.

Lord Sugar calls her “one of my greatest candidates and a lovely lady”.

Not to be messed with she excelled in tasks where she often ended up on the losing side.

Who can forget her fearsome boardroom battles?

What does Ruth do now?

Ruth now specialises in helping small businesses startups. Her website says she has helped over 350 small business since launching her consultancy in 2006.

The Apprentice Best Bits
Viewers loved Thomas’ enthusiasm (Credit: BBC)

Thomas Skinner (Series 15)

One of the most enthusiastic contestants in Apprentice history, viewers warmed to his cheeky Cockney personality.

Even Lord Sugar did, saying he was a great salesman and felt regret when he had to fire him.

Read more: The Apprentice: Lord Alan Sugar hints he will quit the show

What is Thomas up to now?

Thomas is still a successful businessman and a managing director of The Fluffy Pillow Company. Earlier this year he was a hit when he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef.

Stuart Baggs 'The Brand' - The Best Bits | The Apprentice UK |

The Apprentice Best Bits begins on Thursday October 1 on BBC One at 9pm

Do you remember these contestants? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor